In light of the current COVID-19 pandemic, the students from Maastricht University petition for a 'No Detriment Policy' to be adopted for every exam until the institution resumes conventional teaching methods and students can resume their academic activities as typical. This no detriment policy should ensure that students affected by the pandemic will have to pass their exams but have their degree grade frozen, meaning they can only improve on it, but it cannot fall below its current level.

As students, we feel like the appeal to assist and aid us has been neglected and has been met with further aggravation by exam coordinators, including measures listed in the UM website which encourage the application of harsh time constraints, the inability to revisit questions on the exam-taking platforms and the removal of multiple-choice sections to prevent cheating.

Therefore, we ask for the governing bodies of Maastricht University to grant all faculty students a no detriment policy. Leniency policies such as this have been adopted throughout all of society to facilitate this daunting period. Most educational institutions have adopted policies to aid their students.

70% of the United Kingdom’s universities have adopted this no detriment policy to help their students (Bedworth). We believe that this is not only a response that we deserve but also one that could have severe repercussions if it is not adopted. As current and future employees, we compete for work positions with thousands of students, including from the UK. We do not believe that due to a situation that is out of our control, we should be categorically punished for it.

We ask for the Faculty Board to start discussions with accreditation bodies (where relevant). 

We understand that the current situation is not easy for you as directors and board of this institution but we also do not believe the current measures, including postponing the binding advice, have been enough to guarantee the necessary conditions for us students.

Citations

Bedworth, Tom. “Revealed: All the Universities That Aren't Providing No Detriment Policies.” The Tab, 24 Apr. 2020, thetab.com/uk/2020/04/22/revealed-all-the-universities-that-arent-providing-no-detriment-policies-152266.